Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the health of older adults, especially when they live with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. In fact, between 26.4% and 31.1% of residents in Spanish social-care centers have this disease, according to studies conducted in our country.
A figure that underscores the importance of caring for what is served at the table every day.
On World Diabetes Day, Food Service Spain (FSE), the trade association for collective catering, focuses on the nutrition of older people and the importance of adapting menus to prevent and control this disease.
The key, however, is not about removing foods or eating less. In older age, excessive restrictions can promote malnutrition and loss of muscle mass, two problems that increase frailty and compromise autonomy.
The aim is to achieve a balanced, adequate diet tailored to each person’s needs.
The foods and habits that help control diabetes in the elderly
One of the first recommendations is to maintain regular meal times and spread food intake throughout the day. Having five meals daily and adding a snack when the healthcare team deems it necessary can help prevent large glucose fluctuations and episodes of hypoglycemia.
It is also important to choose carbohydrates wisely.
Legumes, whole grains, vegetables and whole fruit should play a leading role over juices and other products with added sugars. Their fiber content helps slow the absorption of sugars and promotes bowel movement.
Protein is another essential element. Fish, eggs, legumes, lean meats and dairy help preserve muscle mass, especially vulnerable during aging. Therefore, controlling glucose should not translate into reducing protein intake.
Regarding sugar, the recommendation is to decrease its presence without giving up dessert. Fruit, unsweetened dairy products and water as a habitual drink are alternatives to maintain a varied and balanced diet.
These guidelines are complemented by using extra virgin olive oil as the main fat, within a Mediterranean pattern based on vegetables, legumes and fish.
The 8 keys to designing a healthy menu in care homes
Food Service España lays out eight recommendations to adapt the nutrition of older adults with diabetes to their nutritional and clinical needs:
- Maintain regular schedules: distribute meals into five daily portions and consider a snack when necessary.
- Prioritize fiber-rich carbohydrates: include legumes, whole grains, vegetables and whole fruit.
- Ensure sufficient protein: include fish, eggs, lean meats and dairy to preserve muscle mass.
- Reduce added sugars: opt for fruit and sugar-free dairy desserts, without the need to eliminate dessert.
- Follow a Mediterranean diet: use extra virgin olive oil and give prominence to vegetables, fish and legumes.
- Adapt textures: ensure that purées, mashed foods and thickeners retain their nutritional value and do not contain added sugars.
- Personalize menus: adjust portions, schedules and foods to the treatment and clinical situation of each resident.
- Don’t forget the pleasure of eating: prepare appealing dishes, with recognizable flavors and respecting personal preferences.
The error of overly restricting older people’s diet
One of the aspects most highlighted by specialists is that controlling diabetes in old age does not mean prohibiting foods. A diet that is too restrictive may lead residents to eat less than necessary and end up losing weight and muscle mass.
«Our job is not to ban meals, but to design a regular, balanced and appetizing diet that accompanies the treatment of each person every day of the year», explains Mario Agudo, spokesperson for Food Service España.
In this sense, personalization is essential. Not all residents have the same needs: some require adapted textures, others need to adjust their meal times and others must follow specific guidelines according to their treatment.
The new Royal Decree 950/2026, published on November 6 in the Official State Gazette, also establishes healthy eating criteria in hospitals and residences, with particular attention to reducing added sugars, fried foods and precooked meals, as well as increasing fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
In short, the diet of older people with diabetes must care for both health and well-being. Because a balanced menu not only helps control glucose, it also contributes to maintaining strength, autonomy and the pleasure of eating.
